Best in the World, Again

Luxembourg City has once again been named the best city in the world for quality of life, topping Deutsche Bank's 2024 "Mapping the World's Prices" report for the second consecutive year. The study evaluates cities across a wide range of categories, including safety, healthcare quality, and cost of living, as well as practical factors such as average commute times. The Grand Duchy's capital leads ahead of Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Vienna in the global ranking.[1]

Luxembourg City's prime position is partly due to its robust economy. Despite high living costs, residents enjoy an average net monthly income of 4,542 euros, the sixth highest worldwide. Free public transport, introduced in March 2020, further boosts the city's appeal by helping residents save on commuting expenses. The city scored well in specific categories, placing seventh for shortest commute times and fourth for low air pollution.[1]

However, life in Luxembourg City does not come cheap. For newcomers without property, finding accommodation can be a major hurdle, as rental prices are the highest in Europe. Many private services also come at a premium. Taxi rides, for instance, are particularly expensive, only in Zurich and Geneva will you pay more for a 5km trip.[1]

Yesterday, this blog reported that Luxembourg was named the best country in the world for quality of life. Today, the city gets the same honour for the second year running. The country and the city share the same word: best. They also share the same problem. The rents are the highest in Europe. The housing waiting list has 9,500 families. The tax administration is in crisis. The immigration department is under audit. Being the best in the world is not the same as being the best for everyone who lives there. The report measures quality of life. It does not measure who can afford it.[1]